Cobweb Cleaner

ABSTRACT

A cobweb cleaner comprising an elongate handle, a flexible elongate rod axially extending from an end of the handle, and a motor housed in the handle for axially rotating the rod relative to the handle, whereby in use the rod is rotated axially about its length and is able to be brought into contact with a cobweb, whereupon the rotation of the rod gathers in the cobweb around the rod is disclosed. In an embodiment the rod is flexible along its length so as to be able to curve into crevasses. In an embodiment the handle is telescopically extendible in length. In an embodiment the handle comprises a keyed plug connected to the motor and onto which a keyed socket at an end of the rod is able to be attached, such that the rod is removable from the socket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for cleaning cobwebs.

BACKGROUND

A common household chore is to clean cobwebs formed by spiders. Oftenthe cobwebs are in hard to reach places. A common technique is to use abroom, however this can often leave marks on the surface being cleanedbecause the broom usually contracts the surface. A better device forcleaning cobwebs is desired.

The present invention seeks to solve this problem.

Any references to documents that are made in this specification are notintended to be an admission that the information contained in thosedocuments form part of the common general knowledge known to a personskilled in the field of the invention, unless explicitly stated as such.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a cobweb cleanercomprising an elongate handle, a flexible elongate rod axially extendingfrom an end of the handle, and a motor housed in the handle for axiallyrotating the rod relative to the handle, whereby in use the rod isrotated axially about its length and is able to be brought into contactwith a cobweb, whereupon the rotation of the rod gathers in the cobwebaround the rod.

In an embodiment the rod is flexible along its length so as to be ableto curve into crevasses.

In an embodiment the handle is telescopically extendible in length.

In an embodiment the handle comprises a keyed plug connected to themotor and onto which a keyed socket at an end of the rod is able to beattached, such that the rod is removable from the socket.

In an alternative embodiment the handle comprises a keyed socketconnected to the motor and into which a keyed plug of the rod is able tobe inserted, such that the rod is removable from the socket.

In an embodiment the keying of the plug and socket is a multi-startthread that extends in a rotational direction so as to tighten the rodonto the connection of the handle when the motor is activated to rotatethe rod.

In an embodiment the rod is disposable and replaceable.

In an embodiment the rod is formed of a flexible plastic. In anembodiment the rod is formed of a resilient plastic.

Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requiresotherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or“comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a statedinteger or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integeror group of integers.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to provide a better understanding of the present inventionembodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cobweb cleaner according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cobweb cleaner of FIG. 1, showinginternal features of the cleaner in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rod of the cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the rod of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the rod of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a cobweb cleaner 10 comprising anelongate handle 12, and a flexible elongate rod 14 axially extendingfrom an end 16 of the handle 12. The handle 12 comprises a body 20 whichis able to be gripped by a user. The body 20 comprises a switch 30,preferably an on/off normally open push button switch. Preferably theswitch 20 is located inwardly from end 18 of the handle 12 so that itmay be conveniently activated by a thumb or forefinger of the user.

The handle 12 is preferably telescopically extendible in length. This isachieved by segments 40 and 42 being able to be longitudinally insertedin the body 20 or extended from the body 20. Segment 40 is narrower thanthe diameter of the body 20 and segment 42 is narrower than the diameterof segment 40. The segments 40 and 42 are configured to have aninterference fit at least when fully extended and preferably whenpartially extended so that the extent of extension remains as selectedby the user

The handle 12 comprises a motor 32, preferably inside segment 42. Ahousing 34 of the motor 32 is connected to the segment 42 and a rotorportion 36 of the motor 32 is connected to a coupling 44 for connectionto the rod 14. The rotor portion 36 is arranged to axially rotate therod 14 relative to the handle 12 upon electrical power being supplied tothe motor 32. The housing 12 also has a power unit 38 electricallyconnected to the motor 32, via the switch 30, such as with wires,whereby upon activation of the switch 30 the power unit 38 supplieselectrical power to the motor 30 thereby causing the rotor portion 36 ofthe motor 30 to axially rotate. The power unit 38 may be for example abattery compartment for receiving one or more batteries which providethe electrical power. Alternatively the power unit 38 may be a powerstorage unit, such as a NiMH or Lithium Ion, or other type ofrechargeable battery, which may be recharged.

Upon actuation, the motor preferably rotates between 60 and 600 rpm,more preferably at about 120 to 240 rpm. Other speeds are possible.

The rod 14 comprises a coupling portion 50 for connection to thecoupling 44 of the handle 12 and an elongate portion 52 for gatheringcobwebs, by spooling the cobwebs onto the elongate portion 52, as willbe described further below.

While the elongate portion 52 may be substantially rigid, it ispreferred that it is flexible along its length so as to be able to curveinto crevasses. Further it is preferred that the rod is resilient sothat it can return to a substantially straight configuration. Theelongate portion 52 is preferably formed of flexible relatively softplastic so that it does not damage a surface should it contact thesurface during use. In an embodiment the rod is disposable andreplaceable.

In an embodiment the handle comprises a keyed plug connected to themotor and onto which a keyed socket 56 at an end of the rod comprising ahole 54 which is able to be attached, such that the rod 14 is removablefrom the plug.

In an alternative embodiment the handle comprises a keyed socketconnected to the motor and into which a keyed plug of the rod is able tobe inserted, such that the rod is removable from the socket.

In an embodiment the keying of the plug and socket is a multi-startthread that extends in a rotational direction so as to tighten the rodonto the connection of the handle when the motor is activated to rotatethe rod.

In various embodiments the rod is formed of a thermoplastic or othersoft plastic or plastic like material (for example polypropylene, nylon,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (commonly termed ABS), thermoplasticpolyurethane), a rubber or silicon based material, or cellulous basedmaterial (for example a paper based material). In one form the rod isbiodegradable.

The method of use of the present invention will now be described.

If necessary, batteries are installed. The user can extend thetelescopic segments to a desired length. When the user activates theswitch the motor causes the rod to rotate. The elongate portion of therod can be brought into contact with the cobweb. The cobweb is urged towind around the rod and spools onto the rod gathering it in and therebyremoving it. When the location of the cobweb is in a crevasse or otherdifficult to access position, the flexibility of the rod allows it tocurve, while still rotating, to access these difficult locations. Uponfinishing, the switch may be released stopping the rotation, and thetelescopic extensions can be contracted.

Modifications may be made to the present invention within the context ofthat described and shown in the drawings. Such modifications areintended to form part of the invention described in this specification.

1. A cobweb cleaner comprising an elongate handle, a flexible elongaterod axially extending from an end of the handle, and a motor housed inthe handle for axially rotating the rod relative to the handle, wherebyin use the rod is rotated about its length and is able to be broughtinto contact with a cobweb, whereupon the rotation of the rod gathers inthe cobweb around the rod.
 2. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1,wherein the rod is flexible along its length so as to be able to curveinto crevasses.
 3. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein thehandle is telescopically extendible in length.
 4. A cobweb cleaneraccording to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a keyed plugconnected to the motor and onto which a keyed socket at an end of therod is able to be attached, such that the rod is removable from thesocket.
 5. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the handlecomprises a keyed socket connected to the motor and into which a keyedplug of the rod is able to be inserted, such that the rod is removablefrom the socket.
 6. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 5, wherein thekeying of the plug and socket is a multi-start thread that extends in arotational direction so as to tighten the rod onto the connection of thehandle when the motor is activated to rotate the rod.
 7. A cobwebcleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rod is disposable andreplaceable.
 8. A cobweb cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the rodis formed of a flexible plastic.
 9. A cobweb cleaner according to claim1, wherein the rod is formed of a resilient plastic.